City Council 1/5 Meeting Summary

The City Council’s first meeting of the new year was devoted to a number of administrative matters, in addition to other business.

• Mayor Anne-Marie Mastraccio and City Councilors Maura Herlihy and Jonathan Martell were sworn in by City Clerk Sue Cote.
• In his regular report, City Manager Steven Buck presented an update on the Covid-19 situation and vaccination progress. See separate story. He also showed a number of aerial photos of the new Summer Commons senior care facility under construction off June St. (see photo above).
• Mayor Mastraccio said she has received complaints from residents about violations of Governor Mills’ executive orders by social clubs in the city. Councilor John Tuttle said he has received complaints as well. Police Chief Tom Connolly was not aware of any official complaints to the Police Department, but said he would look into it.
• An amendment to the Animal Control Ordinance was approved after the second reading. The amendment increases the fees for reclaiming an impounded dog to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense, and $75 for the third offense within one year. Chief Connolly said the increase will help to cover the cost of transporting dogs to the shelter in Kennebunk. Even after the increase, Sanford’s fees are still lower than surrounding communities, he said.
• Councilor Herlihy was elected Deputy Mayor by a 6-1 vote, with Councilor Martell the lone vote in opposition. He had nominated Councilor Luke Lanigan for the position, but the nomination was not seconded.
• Sue Cote was reappointed Registrar of Voters
• Annual compensation of $5,000 for Mayor Mastraccio and $4,000 for each City Councilor was approved.
• The Council’s Rules of Procedure were discussed. Mayor Mastraccio suggested that the current Rules stay in place until a special subcommittee can review them and propose new language regarding procedures for virtual meetings (including Zoom meetings), which are not currently addressed. The subcommittee will consist of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and Councilor Bob Stackpole. All were in agreement.
• The Council’s Code of Conduct was unanimously approved.
• Appointments to city Boards and Committees were approved. See separate story.
• The calendar for Budget Committee meetings and public hearings on the budget was approved. The complete calendar can be found here.
• The Council agreed to have a goal setting workshop before the next regular Council Meeting on January 19. The workshop will be held at 4:30 p.m. and will be accessible to the public.
• The Council approved Phase II of the street lights conversion project. Phase I, which was completed over the summer, upgraded most of the street lights in Sanford/Springvale to LED. In Phase II, 23 more street lights will be converted. This includes lights at the South Sanford roundabout and an area in front of Lowes/Walmart. In addition, 24 new LED street lights will be installed on Lebanon St., St. Ignatius St., Roberts St., a section of Main St. north of the high school, and at the roundabout by Number One Pond.

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